With training camp just a few weeks away, many new faces in Houston are eager to carve out roles for themselves, but none is a more polarizing prospect than Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore.
It doesn’t matter that the physical 19-year-old Villanova product, projected as a lottery pick for months on end, fell to the organization with the 20th pick in June’s draft. The Rockets consider themselves fortunate to have a talented young player on their hands and have confidence in their revamped coaching staff to mold and develop him into a productive NBA player. . The only question is what that plan actually looks like.
Between players like Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Dillon Brooks, Jae’Sean Tate and even Kevin Porter Jr., if you consider Whitmore a wing today, it’s a pretty full department.
Fortunately for Houston, the organization is in a much healthier place than it was a few years ago, when players like Smith and Jalen Green were thrown into the fire and forced to learn things on the fly. . There is a healthy mix of veterans and young players, and there is a staff with passion, ambition and intelligence – a great working environment.
It’s unfair to put Whitmore at the end of the rotation before a meaningful practice or scrimmage takes place, and training camp is an open competition. There was always a chance for Whitmore to force his way into head coach Ime Udoka’s early plans behind his work ethic and performance. But the general point of his inclusion in the roster is more of a luxury than a necessity as we have seen in the last two seasons. The Rockets don’t need to rush things with Whitmore.
Two months ago, the rookie showed an impressive performance in the Las Vegas Summer League, earning MVP honors while showing a great combination of physicality, explosiveness and scoring.
“He was the MVP of the summer league,” general manager Rafael Stone said The Athletic. “Obviously he’s playing really well, and we think he’s got a bright future, and we’re excited for him.”
However, Whitmore is far from the finished product. As exciting as he is on the open floor, the NBA is different. Things happen faster, readings should be processed more smoothly and faster. There were times when Whitmore’s inexperience was apparent just as there were times when his upside left fans in awe. The NBA is an experience on both sides of the coin, and Whitmore is excited to get a chance to flip it.
Recently, the Rockets rookie sat down with The Athletic to discuss his summer league, criticisms of his game, his thoughts ahead of training camp and more.
(This interview has been edited for style, length and clarity.)
Naturally, the biggest takeaway from summer league was your MVP win, but what other parts of the overall experience stuck with you?
I mean, that was the first NBA atmosphere, NBA experience that I had. Winning MVP of all things is amazing. I was also surprised. I never thought I would just keep improving with every level I step on. I am amazed at myself, I am very grateful for this every day, and I thank God and see what else I can do.
The skill level is far from what you see in the NBA, but are there still elements of the games that you can bring to training camp that translate?
I’m looking forward to pushing my playing ability to the highest level and having that pat. But other than that, just perfecting everything in my craft. That’s it.
It seems to be a focus from the coaching staff – putting the ball in your hands so you’re more comfortable. We saw some of that at Villanova as well. What is the situation from your point of view?
Different situation. When summer league started, I didn’t have a ball at all. It’s more Jabari (Smith Jr.) and Tari (Eason) kind of run the show, and I have to play them, and when they need me to score, I score. But as time went on and they came out, the ball was in my hands. I learned how to have the ball in my hands and make the right decisions, the right reads.
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In college, you are considered in some respects as a three-level scorer. Do you see that carry over to the summer league, maybe scoring more easily or more hard?
Even in the summer league and before, I always felt like I could score in a lot of ways. So it’s easy even before, I thought.
What are you focusing on as you prepare for training camp and the preseason?
I can say that the focus for me is just trying to learn my role. Whatever the coaching staff wants me to do, I do. If they mention something to me, I’m sure it will be taken care of. I have an ear in training camp.
How was it spending time with the other guys on the roster, getting a feel for them and understanding each other?
It’s really early. Again, not everyone is back, so I’m still trying to get a feel for the new players and the new team. Just trying to get the new teaching style.
Defensively, your upper body strength gives you an advantage over smaller players. How do you envision your ability and potential translation to the NBA?
I mean, I’ve been in this body since college, so it’s really helped me move forward. That is definitely an advantage in my view. Me having that body, I can use that as a strength. Know how to get down, make plays. When I get into the paint, defenders collapse, and I can kick it to the other end. This will help and be an advantage to the team.
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Do you watch your own film on how you process things at game speed? Do you find yourself going through an old tape?
Yes. I look at the things I do that are bad. Turnovers, mistakes. I look at that after like every game. Every game I play, I first look at the mistakes to see where I can be better. Then after that, I looked at the good stuff. The right readings, the ones I could have done. Certain things.
Why do you look at the bad things first?
For one, I just want to see what I’m like on the floor. My reactions, what causes turnovers or other bad things. That didn’t help the team at all.
With the camp approaching, it will be a fierce battle. How excited are you to battle your teammates and compete?
I get better at the end of the day. Very excited and looking forward.
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(Top photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)